Multi-lane Elastic Buffer Cluster for Clock Tolerance Compensation

The patent implements dynamic buffer control where read and write pointers are adaptively adjusted based on real-time clock skew detection. The buffer operates in different modes (normal operation, skew compensation, overflow prevention, underflow prevention) that are dynamically selected based on system conditions, allowing the buffer to adapt to varying clock frequencies and data flow rates between transmitting and receiving entities.

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the receiving entity monitors buffer status and clock skew continuously. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts read/write pointer positions and triggers re-synchronization events. The system also implements feedback loops that detect overflow/underflow conditions and automatically adjust buffer operations to prevent data loss, ensuring reliable data transfer through continuous monitoring and adaptation.

The patent implements preliminary clock synchronization by detecting clock skew between transmitting and receiving entities before data transfer begins. The system performs initial calibration to establish reference clock relationships and pre-configures buffer parameters based on predicted skew conditions. This preliminary action ensures that the buffer is properly configured to handle expected clock variations before actual data transfer starts.

The system dynamically changes operational parameters based on detected clock skew. When skew exceeds thresholds, the system adjusts buffer depth, modifies read/write timing parameters, and changes pointer update frequencies. The controller adapts buffer operation modes and timing parameters in real-time to compensate for clock frequency variations, maintaining data alignment precision without requiring identical clock frequencies between transmitting and receiving entities.

The patent combines multiple buffer components into a unified parallel buffering system managed by a single controller. The controller integrates offset value management for all buffers, coordinating read/write operations across multiple buffer components simultaneously. By merging the control functions into a centralized unit, the system achieves efficient parallel data transfer while reducing the overall complexity that would result from having separate control logic for each buffer.

The system segments the data transfer function into multiple parallel buffer channels, each handling specific data streams independently. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of multiple buffers with dedicated read/write pointers and offset management for each channel. The controller divides the overall data transfer task into parallel segments that can be processed concurrently, improving throughput while maintaining manageable complexity through modular buffer organization.